Hartsville football player collapses on field, dies

Tragedy struck a Midlands football team Friday as a Hartsville High School player died after collapsing on the field.

Multiple media reports confirm that 18-year-old senior offensive lineman Ronald Rouse collapsed on the field with three minutes to go in the first half. EMS and team trainers escorted him off the field where he collapsed once again.

He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he later died.

Game play did not continue. Funeral arrangements for Rouse have not yet been set. Hartsville Mayor Mel Pennington has asked that flags in the city be lowered to half staff starting Saturday in memory of Rouse.